Authentication via motion of wireless device movement

ABSTRACT

Motion of a wireless device is pre-registered as authentication credentials, then later matched, to provide motion-based authentication for access to software, service, etc. The wireless device may contain any number of gyroscopic, distance, positional or compass sensors—any or all of which are measured during a physical gesture or motion or the wireless device while the user is holding the wireless device. Recorded measurements of the specific motion then identifies the authorized user. If measurements of an attempted motion suitably matches the pre-registered and valid authentication credentials for the service or device, then the motioned wireless device is authenticated for use by the user. Such motion is difficult, if not impossible, for a user to pass on to another individual—even if they wanted to, making it the ultimate security technique.

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional No. 61/576,755, entitled “Authentication Via Wireless Device Movement” to McFarland, filed Dec. 16, 2011, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to telecommunications. More particularly, it relates to computer/electronic security specifically as it relates to authentication and authorization.

2. Background of the Related Art

The existing technology for electronic authentication relies heavily upon two types of authentication methods: (1) use of a keyboard or reactive touch screen to input a PIN, username, password, etc.; and/or (2) use of a keyboard or reactive touch screen to input a sequence of keypresses or pattern.

Another conventional type of authorization input is biometric, e.g., voice authentication using voice recognition software; retina scanner; etc. But the present inventor has appreciated that conventional technology, in the end, generally utilizes a sequence of a limited number of defined alphanumeric characters, and that there is a practical limit to the length of the required input sequence because it typically requires memorization by the user to provide as input for authentication. Reliance for authentication based on such existing technologies allows for some amount of risk in large part because the access credential may be passed on to an unauthorized user, thus increasing the likelihood of compromise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service comprises receiving a motion measurement of a motion parameter from a given wireless device attempting access to a restricted service. The motion measurement is compared to a pre-registered motion measurement. The given wireless device is authorized to access the restricted service when the motion measurement suitably matches the pre-registered motion measurement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows motion-based authentication via wireless device motion, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of motion-based authentication via wireless device motion using gyroscopic measurements, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of motion-based authentication via wireless device motion using compass measurements, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of motion-based authentication via wireless device motion using measurement of a distance motioned relative to a known position of a fixed object, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an alternative means of authentication to the traditional mechanisms such as username/password, PIN or biometric options such as voice. These traditional means for authentication may be impractical based upon the situation. If the user is in a noisy location they may be unable to authenticate via biometric mechanism for voice. In other situations, the electronic devices used to provide username/password are impractical such as inadequate input mechanisms or maybe the user is wearing gloves and does not want to remove their gloves.

Secondly, besides the practicality of the provision of access credentials, existing technology utilizes access credentials which can very easily be disseminated or compromised. A passphrase, username, PIN, etc. are all very specifically recognized and explained when seen or heard. A more difficult means of access credentials is desired. Such a new method of access credentials is preferably more difficult to explain, and even if seen should be harder to reproduce.

FIG. 1 shows motion-based authentication via wireless device motion, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the invention provides a mechanism for motion-based authentication via predefinition, then later measurement, of intentional motion of a given computing device.

In step 110 of FIG. 1, a user of a wireless device requires authentication to access a given software, service, etc.

In step 120, a user selects a given motion to be used as authentication and authorization input to an authenticating entity.

In step 130, a user may select a visual aid to assist them in presenting the physical motion as input. For instance, a visual aid may be a 3-dimensional path of a current motion drawn on a display of the wireless device.

In step 140, if a user desires use of the visual aid, it is displayed on the wireless device.

In any event, the process moves toward step 150, at which point the wireless device is physically passed through the attempted authenticating motion.

In step 160, measurement points along the attempted authenticating motion are taken by the wireless device itself and presented to the authenticating entity.

In step 170, the authenticating entity receives the measurement points of the attempted authenticating motion, and compares them against an measurements of an expected motion as maintained in an appropriate database 175.

In step 180, the authenticating entity processes and returns a result of the match attempt: authorized or not authorized, to the wireless device attempting access to the restricted service, device, location, etc.

Using motion-based authentication in accordance with the invention provides a better method for authenticating a wireless device, and its user.

The specific intentional motion of a given wireless device may be monitored by device sensors within the wireless device itself (e.g., accelerometer, GPS, etc.), and measured to define a given intentional motion of the wireless device to present a motion-based authentication credential as input to the authorizing agent.

The present application provides a new method and technique for defining and inputting authentication credentials to first pre-define, then later match, authorization credentials necessary to gain permission or authority to use a given device or service.

In accordance with the invention, subsequent actions post authentication enable a given wireless device (e.g., a wireless phone) authority to access to given computing devices, software, computing services, and/or access to physically restrictive spaces, etc. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the given wireless device includes at least one movement and directional sensor capable of measuring a 3-dimensional motion of the given wireless device.

The invention utilizes computing device movement as a means for providing authentication credentials. The computing device may contain any number of gyroscopic, distance, positional or compass sensors—any of which may be implemented to record a specific movement which identifies the authorized user. If the measured movement suitably matches the pre-registered and valid authentication credentials for the service or device, then the motioned device is authenticated by the service for use. Subsequently, the user can then be granted access to the requested service, device location, etc.

Motion-based authentication in accordance with the invention may be implemented as the sole authentication technique. Alternatively, the motion-based authentication may be implemented in concert, or secondary/primary, with other authentication techniques (e.g., password, PIN, etc.) providing a multi-factor authentication.

Defined motion for authentication of the relevant wireless device may encompass any movement-based sensor techniques which specifically measure how the wireless device is moved.

Motion of a wireless device as referred to herein relates generally to motion while the user holding the wireless phone stays in-place, though some travel of the user while holding the wireless device being authenticated for use is within the principles of the present invention. For instance, the wireless phone may be motioned to form what visually would resemble a rectangular shape of, e.g., 8 foot wide and 6 feet high, which would require some small amount of travel of the user holding the wireless device. More likely though is a user motioning their wireless-device into a “figure eight” shape, perhaps with a flick of the wrist at a particular point along the shape to add uniqueness to the authenticating motion.

Motion-based authentication of a wireless device in accordance with the principles of the present invention may measure the total range of movement of the motioned wireless device. And/or authentication of the wireless device, as preferably directed by the authorized user of the wireless device, may record specific points (identification points) within the motion as the measurement input to indicate the appropriate access credentials.

Any number or combinations of motion measurements (identification points) may be combined as the total authentication credentials. Moreover, specific timing between reaching those motion measurements (identification points) may also be recorded. For instance, motioning a wireless device into a “figure eight” shape three times within 5 seconds, pre-defined to be the proper authentication credential for a given wireless device to authorized use.

Specific motion measurements may include, e.g., gyroscopic measurements—Yaw, Pitch, Roll; the height of travel relative to a starting point of the authentication motion; a distance from a given fixed object; motion in a direction as measured against a compass; and accelerometer measurements; to name a few. Also, a combination dial may be utilized.

To capture the motion, the motioned wireless device may preferably display visual tools to aid the user in capturing the motion along given identification points. The display may first be used in pre-defining the authenticating motion, then later assist the user in understanding the motion that they are currently making. The motion may be displayed to the user in any manner, e.g., as a 3-dimensional line through space.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of motion-based authentication via wireless device motion using gyroscopic measurements, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as depicted in FIG. 2, measurement of motion of the wireless device may be made via output from a gyroscope function within the wireless device, e.g., with heading, pitch and/or roll information.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of motion-based authentication via wireless device motion using compass measurements, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, another motion-sensitive functionality of a wireless device that may be utilized for motion-based authorization includes a compass reading.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of motion-based authentication via wireless device motion using measurement of a distance motioned relative to a fixed object, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance to an object, as measured by the wireless device, may be utilized as a sensed measurement to record a motion of the wireless device. The distance may be measured using a built-in distance measuring device. Alternatively the distance may be measured visually, e.g., using a camera and suitable software to estimate a distance to the photographed item (e.g., a wall).

The motion may be measured using an accelerometer on the wireless device, or combination dial (to a given setting while the motion takes place), or other motion sensor measurements to define physical motion of the wireless device through an entire range of motion.

Tighter security for authentication can be set with tighter matching requirements to pre-defined parameters for the authenticating motion. For instance, presume that an authenticating physical motion of the device passes the wireless device through a shape having a total 3-dimensional size of 32″ wide, 30″ high, 4″ deep (if visualized in 3-dimensional space). Loose requirements might require the authenticating motion to match those dimensions to within 40%; whereas tight security might require reproduction of the same shaped motion to within say 5% of the pre-defined measurements (or less).

A motion-based authentication processing module utilizes configurable parameters (e.g., compass readings, accelerometer readings, directional readings, etc.) and compares the input motion measurements against those measurements of an authenticating motion which was pre-defined and pre-stored by the authorized user.

The beauty of the invention is that the particular shape of the motion need not be recognizable to the human eye. For instance, a user may shake their wireless device as fast as possible in a given direction, flick their wrist after the 6^(th) shake, shake a few more times, and pre-register that entire motion as being required for access to a given software, service, etc., (or even to gain access to a given physical location.) The resulting motion-sensor measurements, whatever they are to that given motion, is what is initially pre-stored, and then is matched against a repetition of the motion at a later time when authorization is desired.

Exemplary parameters for measurement of the motion of the wireless device used in the motion-based authentication process may include, e.g.:

Movement accuracy, rounding

Movement duration offset—variable allowed in movement through time and movement changes.

Timing and overall duration of movement.

The percentage of likeness for movement.

Quantity of identification points

Margin of offset per identification point.

The percentage of match and allowable offset is configurable.

A motion-based authorization processing module checks the authentication credentials, and returns a positive or negative authorization response to the requesting entity.

Motion-based authentication by physical motion of a given wireless device is exponentially more secure than otherwise traditional authentication techniques.

A motion-based authentication processing technique in accordance with the principles of the present invention can use a configurable number and/or type of motion-measurement points, e.g., measured into thousands upon thousands. These motion-defining points required for authorized access to a given software, service, etc., results in numerous variables including the physical nature of a given human being over another, making access via a brute force motion attack virtually impossible. The higher the number of required matches to pre-defined motion points, the stronger the authentication.

The infinite variety in possible motion of a given wireless device enables further flexibility in authentication methods. The capability to use motion-based authentication in accordance with the invention—either together with otherwise conventional authentication methods, by itself, or even by compounding a measured number and/or type of motion identification points—permits an appropriate user of a given wireless device the ability to customize their motion-based authentication in a way that is familiar to them yet ensures against compromise.

An additional feature of the present invention is that a user can input authorization information into a given requesting device even if they are wearing gloves (which must typically be removed to type or activate a touch-screen.) Moreover, an exact physical motion is difficult if not impossible for a user to pass on to another individual—even if they wanted to, essentially rendering the authorized user the only possible individual who will be able to access the restricted software, service, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service, comprising: receiving a series of motion measurements of a motion parameter along each of a plurality of sequential identification points, each motion measurement including at least one of yaw, pitch and roll from a given wireless device attempting access to a restricted service; comparing said series of motion measurements to a user selected, pre-registered authenticating motioning of said given wireless device; and authorizing said given wireless device to access said restricted service when said series of motion measurements matches said pre-registered authenticating motioning.
 2. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, wherein said motion measurement at each identification point includes: height of travel of said motioning.
 3. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, wherein said motion measurement at each identification point includes: a distance from a reference object.
 4. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, wherein: said reference object is a fixed object.
 5. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, wherein said motion measurement at each identification point includes: a compass heading measurement.
 6. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 5, wherein: said compass heading measurement is an average compass heading measurement over said authenticating motioning.
 7. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, wherein said motion measurement at each identification point includes: an accelerometer measurement.
 8. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 7, wherein: said accelerometer measurement is an average accelerometer measurement over said authenticating motioning.
 9. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, further comprising: prompting said wireless device for input of a motion-based authentication credential.
 10. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, further comprising: presenting to said wireless device a visual aid displaying a result of an input attempted authentication motioning.
 11. The method of authenticating access to a wireless device to a restricted service according to claim 1, further comprising: requiring empirical pre-registration of said authorizing motioning through actual motioning of said wireless device. 